View Poll Results: Like or Dislike computers on Vehicles and Why
I like OBD Computers
23
71.88%
I don't like OBD Computers
1
3.13%
Six in one and half a Dozen in the Other
8
25.00%
Voters: 32. You may not vote on this poll
Computer or No and Why?
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
Computer or No and Why?
I was always curious as to what the demographics were on those that like having computers on their trucks and using those computers as a tool to work on their trucks as opposed to those that wish we could go back to the days even before OBD-I computers and why. This is excluding tracking and other controlling measures that are proposed for the the OBD-III computers, strickly wrenching here excluding everything else.
Myself I like having the computers on there but than again I like using computers to work on stuff, but I also have the software that gets into all that extra good stuff. Plus I like being able to program the truck for different applications versus on the no computer trucks, you had what you had and that was it beyond what you could change mechanically and that wasn't as broad reaching as with computers(atleast with my thinking, I may be wrong).
What are all y'alls thoughts on the subject?
Myself I like having the computers on there but than again I like using computers to work on stuff, but I also have the software that gets into all that extra good stuff. Plus I like being able to program the truck for different applications versus on the no computer trucks, you had what you had and that was it beyond what you could change mechanically and that wasn't as broad reaching as with computers(atleast with my thinking, I may be wrong).
What are all y'alls thoughts on the subject?
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 4
From: Redford, Mi.
Tex, a while back you sort of talked me into the Auto enginuity that I now have, I think I had mine before you, you were waiting for a special type or something. Anyways there is way too much information going on, it is a hell of a tool but it will take me a long time to understand everything it's telling me.
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
I was getting 3 enhancement options to cover all the vehicles that my family has: Ford, Toyota(Lexus), and Honda(Acura). The Honda license required a seperate OBD-II connector other then the one that came with the software.
Isn't that the truth. I noticed that I can program the rain sensor on the windshield wipers and I can control the distance on the radar cruise control(both are for the asian vehicles). I haven't seen anything else that gets that nitty gritty with those computers.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 4
From: Redford, Mi.
I used mine to trouble shoot my son's transmission, yike's, it's like it picked up 480 some odd sensors in the truck, I don't even want to know what the hell they all do, I'd never feel satisfied with the tool if I was the type of person that needed to know everything it could do, I just need to know if something screws up I can find out what it was and I'll find that out when it screws up.
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
aaaahhhh. After you connect thru the first initiation it'll ask what sensors you want. I think mine defaults on enhanced powertrain, use the dropbox and have it go to tranny and then click ok. It'll ask do you want all, current, or none. click on current and that should give you the particular one you selected on the drop box. Took me awhile to figure that one out. I think it is 480 sensors or something like that too that it got originially for me when I first tried it out. Cool program, worth every penny of it(in my opinion) and a big reason why I like having computers on these vehicles for repair purposes.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta Canada
I prefer no computer.
simpler.
I don't need a satellite guide coffee holder.
I never had problems with a manual choke
I can read a paper map.
I used to take pride in the fact that most women couldn't drive my truck.
And auto headlights? jeez!
price issues aside,
I liked having manual things to fix.
and the only chips in my truck were the nacho kind.
simpler.
I don't need a satellite guide coffee holder.
I never had problems with a manual choke
I can read a paper map.
I used to take pride in the fact that most women couldn't drive my truck.
And auto headlights? jeez!
price issues aside,
I liked having manual things to fix.
and the only chips in my truck were the nacho kind.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,049
Likes: 1
I like wrenching on pre-computer vehicles, but I see the value in computers for diagnostic purposes, etc.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 84
From: Wake Forest, NC
Cars have become much more reliable because of computers, the flip side is what you can "fix" on the side of the road to get going again is very very rare now. Most failures require parts replacement or a diagnostic machine to figure it out.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 42,085
Likes: 6
From: Lakewood, Ca.
Pretty difficult to argue with any of those statements.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 4
From: Redford, Mi.
Reliable?? I wouldn't use releiable. I had a lot of reliable cars, most were non computer car's, maybe more effiecent. That would be an interesting spread sheet, the cost per mile of a non computer vehicle verses a newer vehicle excluding fuel, and how long they ran without what would be considered normal maintanace, and what effect did the computer had on that maintanace or when it was performed.
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
Reliable?? I wouldn't use releiable. I had a lot of reliable cars, most were non computer car's, maybe more effiecent. That would be an interesting spread sheet, the cost per mile of a non computer vehicle verses a newer vehicle excluding fuel, and how long they ran without what would be considered normal maintanace, and what effect did the computer had on that maintanace or when it was performed.
Well you have to ignore the first years of OBD-I and OBD-II as any new tech is going to have issues. That's just inherent of new tech. I would be interested in that as well. However, with computers if you have the software, you can catch issues sooner and perhaps reduce maintance costs versus waiting til it actually has mechanical signs of failure or failing.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 4
From: Redford, Mi.
Well you have to ignore the first years of OBD-I and OBD-II as any new tech is going to have issues. That's just inherent of new tech. I would be interested in that as well. However, with computers if you have the software, you can catch issues sooner and perhaps reduce maintance costs versus waiting til it actually has mechanical signs of failure or failing.
Thread Starter
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
Not really. With Autoenginuity, you can get what's called live data. It shows thru the sensors of what you have selected, if they are working within specified parameters. If the readings are showing that the sensors are getting lower readings then normal(or whatever qualifies as "out of spec"), than the autoenginuity program changes the color of the sensor reading to show that the particular reading is falling below spec. It might not be toward failure, but it might be enough to have a look at the part and if it's something simple at that time than the part might be able to be fixed quicker and easier then if you wait until there are visible signs to the driver, which you would have to wait on a purely mechanic vehicle. Let's face it too, some drivers can't tell the small subtle cues that the vehicle will give that might save costs be catching it even that early. I know I had two people comment on bad shifting of my tranny, but I couldn't tell it. It wasn't until the tach would spike for no reason and it took 10 min for the tranny to shift(3-5 shift) that I realized that something was wrong.